SANTA CLARA, Calif. -
Despite a season-high tying 22 points from Stephen DuCharme, Utah State's men's basketball team lost a 77-75 overtime game at Santa Clara Saturday afternoon after rallying from a 12-point halftime deficit. With the loss, USU falls to 9-3 on the season, while Santa Clara improves to 9-4 on the year with the win.

DuCharme, who scored 18 of his 22 points after the half, added a season-high 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the year. Jaycee Carroll also scored in double-figures for Utah State with a season-low 14 points.

After trailing by 10 at 51-41 with 13:02 remaining, Utah State scored 16 of the next 20 points to take a 57-55 lead. USU increased its lead to 65-61 with 1:28 remaining on a layup by Carroll before the Broncos scored the final four points of regulation to force overtime. USU had a running jump shot from Mikel Watson roll out as time expired, followed by a tip-in from DuCharme just after the buzzer.

In the overtime, Santa Clara scored six of the first eight points to take a four-point lead and hit four straight free throws in the final :25 seconds to hold on for a two-point win.

John Bryant led Santa Clara with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Scott Dougherty added 16 points off the bench, including 11 in the first-half.

Utah State began the game by hitting five of its first six shots and lead 13-4 before Santa Clara scored 13 straight points over the next to take a 17-13 lead. The Aggies then scored nine straight points to regain the lead at 22-17 before the Broncos finished the half on a 22-5 run to lead 39-27 at the break.

In the first half, Santa Clara shot 46.7 percent from the field (14-30) and 46.7 percent from three-point range as it connected on seven-of-15 shots from behind the arc. USU shot 44.0 percent in the first half, but also committed 10 turnovers.

Utah State finished the game by shooting 45.0 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three-point range, while Santa Clara shot 45.6 percent from the field and just 34.8 percent from three-point range. USU also out-rebounded the taller Broncos 37-35, but also committed 19 turnovers as compared to 17 for Santa Clara.

Utah State, who had won eight straight games decided by six or fewer points, has now lost three straight overtime games dating back to last season.

Utah State will return to action on Sat., Dec. 30 when it hosts Cal State Bakersfield in the Gossner Foods night at 7:05 p.m. in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.